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DDG 74 McFaul

The dark blue and gold, of the shield are the colors traditionally used by the Navy. Neptune, the god of the sea embodies maritime prowess and swift mobilization. The waves suggest a coastline and underscore Chief Petty Officer McFaul's insertion from the sea by rubber raiding craft to block General Noriega's escape from Panama.

The cross on the shield commemorates the Navy Cross awarded posthumously to Platoon Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul for extraordinary heroism in action under fire saving his teammate's life. McFaul was mortally wounded by enemy fire. The aegis shape highlights the USS MCFAUL's modern multimission warfare operations with quick decisive action. The colors and quarterly division are adapted from the Panamanian flag and represent Operation JUST CAUSE in the Republic of Panama. The four sections also allude to SEAL Team four, McFaul's SEAL team. The laurel represents achievement and honor, the palm, which is indigenous to the tropical regions, alludes to the location of Panama and also symbolizes victory.

Donald L. McFaul

Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul was born 20 September 1957 in Orange County, California. He graduated from Bend Senior High School, Bend, Oregon in 1974. He enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from high school, and after recruit training was assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island, where he worked for Port Services as an Engine Specialist. In 1977, Chief McFaul volunteered and was selected to join the Naval Special Warfare Community.

He underwent Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (Class 95) in the spring of 1978. Chief McFaul was assigned to SEAL Team ONE where he made three deployments in support of Special Operations out of Subic Bay, Philippines. In 1985, Donald McFaul the SEAL became Donald McFaul the civilian, trying his hand at engine repair and spending relaxing days of fishing in Seattle, Washington, and Kodiak, Alaska. Missing the challenge and excitement of the SEAL Team, Donald McFaul returned to the Special Warfare Community. He attended Defense Language Institute for Spanish in Monterey, California where he met his wife Patricia. In February 1988, Chief McFaul was assigned to SEAL team FOUR and Don and Patricia were married.

While at SEAL Team FOUR Chief McFaul deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of the Middle East Forces and later deployed to Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT at Naval Station Rodman, Republic of Panama. His final deployment was as Platoon Chief of Gulf Platoon on 18 December 1989, where he was killed in action during combat operations.

His awards include the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Navy Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star. He was posthumously awarded the "Purple Heart" and the "Navy Cross".

According to his Navy Cross citation (awarded posthumously), McFaul was serving as platoon chief of SEAL Team 4 at Paitilla Airfield, Republic of Panama, during Operation Just Cause when, in the absence of effective cover fire and with disregard for his own personal safety, entered the "kill zone" to rescue his teammates.

As he attempted to pull a seriously wounded comrade to safety, McFaul was raked by enemy automatic weapons fire. Succumbing to his mortal wounds, McFaul laid himself across his teammate to protecting him from enemy fire.

"ENC McFaul demonstrated the highest possible sacrifice and valor. His extraordinarily heroic actions, in total disregard for his personal safety, saved the life of his comrade [and] set the highest possible standard for leadership by example in combat."